The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-06-29
A Mysterious Jefferscnvills Tragedy That
Needs Prompt Explanation.
NoblssVills Rejoicing Over the Discovery Of
Another Gushing Well.
Unprecedented Activity in the Development Of
tie Indiana Coal Fields.
Reorganization of the Nickel-PIate =
Placing a Tie on the Track-Death
OF Pioneer-Etc., Etc.

LOUISVILLE, KY, June 27.-News of a
terrible tragedy, the events of which are
shrouded in much mystery, reached here
this morning from Jacksonville, Ind,
where the affair occurred. At IL o'clock
last night Miss Sarah E. Aldridge, pretty
young lady, nineteen years of age,
received pistol shot in the head,
from which she expired at an
early hour this morning. Whether the
wound was inflicted by her own hand, or
that of the young man in whose company
she was at the time of the deed, is vet un-
known. For year past Miss AldrIdge had
been receiving attentions from George
Jetel, young man twenty-three years of
age, who works with his father in the iron
foundry of Dennis Long, in this city. Last
night ne left his home in Louisville and
called upon his sweetheart. Between 10
and II o'clock the parents OF Miss Aldridge
were awakened by pistol shot in the
paTlor. They rushed 10 the room and
found their daughter in a swcon upon the
floor, with the blood pouring from bullet
hole in the head. Jetel says he was asleep
with his head IL the lap the girl when the
deed occurred, and that she committed
suicide. He is now in Jail.
The father of the young lady gives the
following statement:
About half-past 9 O'Clock last night,
while in bed asleep, l was suddenly
awakened by single report of pistol.
i jumped out of bed and rushed down
stairs. did not know whether the shot
was in the house or on the street, but /
determined to make an investigation. l
went through the house and found all
quiet. At last l came into the dining
room, which was dark, and through a
door which opened into the lighted parlor
/ saw Jecke, who knew was making q
call on my daughter, walking from the
far corner of the room. His face was pale
andhe was very much excited. Where is
Bette? ! asked. i don't know he au-
swered. WELL said, you must have
murdered her. No. he said, she took
my pistol while L was asleep and
killed herself with 1t. / had noth-
ing to do with it, l entered the
room, and there saw my child lying on
the floor. her head was against the door.
and her blood was in big pool all about
her. and was all over her clothing. Just
beneath the border Of her skirt found
pistol. As lifted her up in my arms
Jeckel asked me where he could find
doctor. / said go up on Spring street.
Maybe you can find one there; it is very
late With that he left the house. In
half hour he returned and asked If Bette
was still alive. i told him yes, but further
than that had no conversation with him."
The girl was shot through the left tenn
pie. The ball ranged downward and came
out behind her right ear and was found on
the floor in her blood. The room in which
the tragedy occurred is small one. Its
only furniture is few chairs and sofa,
which sat along the southern wall,
and Immediately to the east of where the
dying girl was found. Why Jacket was
found coming from the corner opposite
the one where she lay, no one ex plains
1t n supposed, by the friends, who clear
bt& of all blame, that in his horror and
surprise he had rushed over there.
Her father could see no cause why his
daughter should commit suicide. She
was Sbout to make a visit to Alabama.
She said to her father the afternoon before
her death: Jacket does not want me to
co." "Why not?" asked her father.
to leave him." "Well," said her father,
do you want to 20? Use
your own choice and go il you
feel like it." WELL" she replied, II do
want to go and will" This is the only
conversation she had with her father that
would bear upon her death. She was
eighteen years old and unusually happy and
light-spirited. Nothing ever seemed to
trouble her. jacket was seen in the
Jefferson vile jail this morning. AS the
reporter entered he rose up from a straw
mattress, where he had been lying with
his head buried in his arms He said
he knew no more than anyone else
about the tragedy. "She was my sweet
heart, ;" he said. 1--WE had been keeping COM
pany for over year, and were engaged to
be married. No date was fixed, but the
wedding would have taken place in about
two months. I went to see her last night,
and we sat on the sofa together. went
to sleep-I generally go to sleep when |
go to see her" He interpolated without
an explanation of this soparific effect of
his sweetheart upon HIM. When l dozed
off 1 had my arm around her, and her
head was lying on my breast. When 1
awakened saw her lying bleeding on the
floor. was so frightened | didn't know
what to do"
Had you been drinkin?" asked the re-
porter. 81 had only had couple of glasses
of beer" WELL" said the newspaper
man, "didn't her fatheriaccuse you of MUIR
dering her2I eyes" he answered, "he
did. j cIapped my hands to my head aud
said: For Gods sake, don't accuse me OF
that"
The young man is twentY-three years
old, and of good countenance. In giving
what he knew of the affair he was very
much affected and broke down and cried
continually. His grlef seemed to be gen.
uine, as also his love for the dead girl.
TheIeporter asked him IL he could assign
any cause why the girl should have COM
mitted suicide. 'sWell," be said "she told